Hudson's, or The J.L. Hudson Company, was a major retail department store chain based
in Detroit. Hudson's flagship store, on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit
(demolished October 24, 1998), was the tallest department store in the world
as of 1961, and, at one time, claimed to be the second largest department store
(next to Macy's) in the United States, in terms of square footage.
Founded
in 1881 by Joseph L. Hudson, the store thrived during the growth of Detroit
and the auto industry during the first half of the 20th century. The family
also founded the Hudson Motor Car Company, which eventually became part of the
American Motors Corporation.
Hudson's expanded into suburban Detroit,
starting with the anchor store at Northland Center in nearby Southfield, Michigan,
the largest shopping center in the United States when it opened in 1954.Similar
suburban malls followed (Westland Center and Eastland Center), as well
of other stores throughout the tri-state region. The Dayton Co. of Minneapolis
acquired The J.L. Hudson Co. in 1969 to form the Dayton-Hudson Corporation, although
"The J.L. Hudson Co." continued to operate as a semi-autonomous entity.
Dayton-Hudson eventually acquired and sold several other department store chains. |
